FORMER York City youth team defender Chris Hogg has offered his support for under-fire Hibernian manager John Collins ahead of tomorrow's Scottish Cup semi-final against Dunfermline.

Collins upset Minstermen boss Billy McEwan with his conduct during pre-contract transfer negotiations with City's top scorer Clayton Donaldson in January.

And now the former Scottish international, who secured Donaldson's services for next season on a free transfer, is in the midst of an alleged players' revolt at Easter Road after reports of a heated dressing-room flare-up following last week's defeat at Dunfermline.

Players, supposedly unhappy with Collins' methods, have since met Hibs chairman Rod Petrie, but Hogg, who left Bootham Crescent for Ipswich at the age of 16 in a £100,000 deal, is standing by his manager ahead of tomorrow's Hampden Park clash.

The former England youth captain said: "I don't think anyone can take any shine away from the gaffer. It's his first managerial job and everything has been positive in my mind - he has managed to get some silverware in the cabinet in his first six months.

"I think he is striving towards what everyone wants to do at this club and I think he is the man to take us there. For me, personally, he has been great. He has been up front and honest and he has helped me a lot."

Hogg has regained his place in the starting 11 under Collins after previous boss Tony Mowbray brought in centre-back Shelton Martis from Darlington at the start of the season and, despite the unrest, Hibs are chasing a domestic double after lifting the CIS Insurance Cup with a 5-1 victory over Kilmarnock last month.

Ipswich signed Hogg in June 2001 but he failed to make a senior Championship appearance at Portman Road, which denied the KitKat Crescent club a further £50,000.

Instead, he made his professional debut during a loan spell at Boston United before joining Hibs in January 2005, signing a two-and-a-half year contract.

About the Edinburgh club's prospects at Hampden, Hogg added: "Words are said after every game in the changing room. It's not a major issue, ask any club. After a performance like ours last Saturday, it would be wrong if there was nobody wanting to discuss what happened and no debate, but everyone is positive.

"There's only one thing the fans need to know and that's that the players are 100 per cent focussed on this game.

"Nothing has changed in our preparation, which has been great, and the focus has been spot-on. Nothing is ever going to deter our minds from as big a game as a semi-final of a major national competition. No-one is going to overcome our hunger and desire."